Checking in with some of the city's oldest institutions

Chicago's Olympic planners are focused on the future -- Oct. 2, to be precise. That's the day the city will learn if it will host the 2016 Olympics.

But what about the years that have led up to that moment? In comparison with Athens, ancient site of the first Olympics, Chicago is still in its infancy. And it's significantly younger than the other cities competing to host the 2016 Olympics -- Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo were founded centuries before the Windy City.

Still, some of Chicago's oldest places are still in operation, offering a chance to stop by for a glimpse into the city's past before its future has a chance to change the cityscape in remarkable ways. We've rounded up some here, verifying the vintage claims via the Chicago Public Library, institutional Web sites and personal interviews.

Oldest restaurant

Many Chicagoans assume the Berghoff restaurant (17 W. Adams St.) is the oldest in Chicago. The restaurant opened in 1898 and in 1913 moved to its current location. The restaurant briefly shut in 2006, but it now serves lunch and dinner, while also offering catering.

Though historic, the Berghoff is not the oldest in the city. The oldest Chicago restaurant is Schaller's Pump (3714 S. Halsted St.) in Bridgeport. The restaurant opened in 1881, has one of the city's oldest liquor licenses and is still owned by the same family.

The restaurant remains in its original location. "We still have the same tin ceilings, old bar and door from the Prohibition era with the peep hole where you can see outside," said Sue Schaller Weather, great-granddaughter of the founder.

Schaller's father, Jack, is 85 years old and still involved with the restaurant.

Eight family members work at the restaurant, and Schaller said the fifth generation is now involved. Open for lunch and dinner. Located a mile from White Sox park. 773-376-6332.

Oldest ice cream shop in the same location

Original Rainbow Cone (9233 S. Western Ave.) takes the title. Founder Joseph Sapp moved his business to its current location in 1926. (Margie's Candies fans take note: The business moved to its current location in 1929.)

Sapp created the Original Rainbow Cone, which stacks chocolate, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio, orange sherbet and strawberry ice cream.

The interior has remained the same for the last 50 years, and photographs of earlier years are on display. Owner Lynn Sapp is the founder's granddaughter, and the business has been family-owned for the last 83 years. Open daily March to December. Original Rainbow Cone is $4. 773-238-7075

Oldest library building

The oldest library building houses the scholarly Newberry Library (60 W. Walton St.). Built in 1893, this library is free and open to the public. Visitors must be at least 16 and present photo ID to receive a reading card. 312-943-9090; www.newberry.org

In 1904, philanthropist Isabella N. Blackstone donated funds in memory of her late husband to construct the first library. The branch opened Sept. 18, 1904, and is modeled on the Erechtheion, a temple on the Athenian Acropolis. The branch is still in operation and also hosts special events. chipublib.org or 312-747-0511

Oldest public building

Old St. Patrick's Church (700 W. Adams St.) moved to its current location in 1856 and predates the handful of its fellow survivors of the Chicago Fire of 1871, giving credence to its claim as the oldest public building in the city. The church now has more than 3,000 member households and hosts The World's Largest Block Party every summer. Mass is held Sunday-Friday; the church is also open for personal prayer. 312-648-1021 or oldstpats.org

Oldest hotels

The Palmer House Hilton is the longest continuously operating hotel in Chicago, perhaps in the United States -- it's a tricky thing to determine, what with some hotels dating to their beginnings as inns and occasionally closing for renovation. (Thus, note the disclaimer: continuously operating hotel.)

But the building is not the oldest hotel structure in Chicago. The original Palmer House was completed in 1871 and burned in the Chicago Fire 13 days later. The second edition was built and ready for guests in 1873 and lasted until 1924, when the current edifice was constructed.

The oldest hotel structure is the Congress Plaza Hotel. The first section, or north tower, was completed in 1893 and was originally called the Auditorium Annex. The south tower was added in 1902 and 1907. By 1908, the hotel had more than 1,000 guest rooms and was renamed The Congress Plaza Hotel. The hotel continues to offer accommodations and meeting facilities. It also has a lounge and two restaurants. 312-427-3800; congressplazahotel.com